Thanksgiving Safety for Pets

It’s easy to admit: we’re all wildly thankful for the pets in our lives and will do just about anything to give them the happy, healthy lives they deserve. Yet, that means sometimes keeping them from enjoying all of the same things we enjoy during the holiday season. Food is of course the highlight of Thanksgiving and many of the foods (even some that are healthy for us) are dangerous for our pets. Decorations and festive plants can also cause trouble as some are poisonous for our pets to eat. Yet there’s plenty of easy precautions you can take to make your pet’s Thanksgiving a safe one!

The Good News: What Your Pet Can Eat

We figure it’s best to start with the good news! Your pet can actually enjoy quite a few Thanksgiving foods safely—all in moderation of course.

Here’s what your pet can enjoy:

Turkey – but make sure it is boneless and well-cooked

Sweet potatoes – without too much butter and sugar

Plain pumpkin

Green beans

Cranberry – without too much sugar

Carrots

Apples

The Bad News: What Your Pet Can’t Eat

Unfortunately, there are probably more table scraps your pet definitely should not eat, compared to what they can eat.

Here’s a list what your pet cannot eat from your Thanksgiving dinner:

Fatty foods including bacon, gravies, butter, and fatty meat scraps

Bones, corn cobs, and other discarded food items which can cause intestinal obstructions or injury

Baked goods, particularly those that are artificially sweetened and could contain xylitol, a danger toxin

Onions and garlic which may be healthy and tasty to us, but are toxic to pets

Raisins, grapes, and currants which can cause renal failure, even with small ingestion

Decorations and Plants

Many of our festive decorations and plants are also very toxic and dangerous to curious pets. Lilies, baby’s breath, some ferns, hydrangeas, and many more, are toxic to pets when eaten. Additionally, candles should be kept well out of reach of wagging tails and nosy noses!

What to Do if Your Pet Eats Something Toxic

It’s impossible to know everything that is toxic to your pet, but if you suspect that they may have ingested a dangerous toxin, call us right away, or better yet, bring them in. Yet we hope it doesn’t come to that! Enjoy a happy and healthy Thanksgiving with your pet!